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Euro race fears drive Oxlade-Chamberlain's family away
Posted Friday, May 25, 2012 by Dailymail

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's family have joined Theo Walcott's relatives in staying at home during the European Championship for fear of being victims of racial abuse in Ukraine.

The news comes as the PFA announced plans to allow clubs to sack players if they are found guilty of racist behaviour.

Euro race fears drive Oxlade-Chamberlain's family away
Family fears: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) with manager Roy Hodgson at Thursday's England training session

Walcott's brother Ashley confirmed on Twitter last week that he and his father Don would not take the risk after public warnings from the Foreign Office.

Euro race fears drive Oxlade-Chamberlain's family away

On Thursday Whitehall officials reiterated their concerns and Joleon Lescott, one of eight black players in the England squad, revealed that other families, like that of Oxlade-Chamberlain, are opting to stay away.

The Foreign Office launched a free guide to fans for Euro 2012 on Thursday. Two of the recommendations in the 130-page guide are:

Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals belonging to religious minorities should take extra care.

Although homosexuality is legal in Ukraine, public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and public displays of affection may attract negative attention.

Lescott said his family had decided to stay at home before the warnings were issued, simply for logistical reasons.

'It was quite alarming to see the reports about the situation out there,' he said.

'But even before the reports, my family weren't going anyway. Maybe if I'm playing and we get to the final, my family will want to go.

'But it's a shame for some members of the squad that their families feel they can't go.'

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Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

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    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia